IF the community does not shop in its local area, there will not be as many businesses in Traralgon in five years’ time.
That’s the message from the president of the town’s business society.
Traralgon Chamber of Commerce president Darren Howe has urged the community to shop locally whenever they can this Christmas.
Mr Howe, who runs a Traralgon newsagency, said shopping locally also provided jobs for local kids and supported sporting clubs and charities.
“Tomorrow it might be your daughter or your sister that has a job here,” he said
However, he doesn’t suggest local businesses have a “God given right” to peoples’ business, and acknowledged businesses need to provide good service, pricing and shopping atmosphere
“We’ve got a commitment to provide that, and I understand there’s products you just can’t get in Gippsland and you have to go to Melbourne or online, but where you can it’s important to support your local business,” he said.
With Christmas about a month away, Mr Howe said he had noticed more local shopping than previous years, and recognised recent coverage in Gippsland media outlets were supporting the push to shop local.
“I think there’s been a pretty big awareness campaign out there this year and I’ve noticed that we’re busier at this time of year than we were last year,” he said.
“I’m hoping that it’s working.”
The association is currently preparing for its ‘Santa Claus is coming to town’ event on Saturday, 21 December for last minute shopping, entertainment and a special visit from Santa Claus in the central business district.
